Edward Leigh was first elected as the Conservative MP for Gainsborough in 1983, being reelected in 2019 with a majority of 22,967.
The constituency of Gainsborough is a large rural seat that covers the north western corner of Lincolnshire and which contains the towns of Market Rasen and Gainsborough. Although it contains pockets of rural deprivation, this is largely an affluent area. Located some distance from any significant towns or cities, this is a predominately agricultural seat in which pig farming plays an important role in the local economy. This is safe Conservative territory with this area having been represented in Parliament continuously by the party ever since 1924. Some 62% of the electorate backed Brexit in the 2016 EU referendum.
Edward Leigh is a former Chairman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee. He is widely regarded as being on the right of the Conservative Party. Leigh was a supporter of Brexit in the 2016 referendum.
Edward Leigh previously served in the Major government, and he was a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at Department of Trade and Industry between 1990 and 1993.
One of parliament’s longest standing MPs, Leigh was knighted in 2013.
Leigh was born in 1950. He was educated at St Phillips School, London, the Oratory School Berkshire, the French Lycee, London and at Durham University (Modern History) where he was President of the Union Society. Before being elected to Westminster, he worked as a barrister, and was a member of Goldsmiths Chambers, in the Inner Temple.
Leigh worked in the private office of Margaret Thatcher from 1976-77 as private secretary in charge of her correspondence as Leader of the Opposition.
Edward Leigh was a member of Richmond Borough Council and then the Greater London Council from l974 until 1981.
Leigh is a strong Roman Catholic. He is Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on the Holy See. He is married and has six children. According to the Register of Members Interests, he employs his wife as his Office Manager. He is also a non-executive director of Europe Arab Bank.
Sir Edward Leigh is also Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Croatia; and Community Development in Europe. He is Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Cameroon; the Commonwealth; Pro-Life; and Rowing.
Email: edward.leigh.mp@parliament.uk
Personal Website: http://www.edwardleigh.org.uk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdwardLeighMP
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Edward-Leigh
